BCCI backs Pakistan on hosting CT

The Indian Cricket Board on Friday threw its weight behind Pakistan and backed the traditional rivals to host the Champions Trophy next month.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Karachi:

The Indian Cricket Board on Friday threw its weight behind Pakistan and backed the traditional rivals to host the Champions Trophy next month even as many cricket boards are apprehensive of sending their players for the tournament at the violence-hit country.

Pakistan is anxiously waiting to learn if it will host the prestigious event as the ICC Board convenes a teleconference on Sunday to decide the issue.

BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah while supporting Pakistan urged other cricket boards to trust the security assurances given by the PCB and the government.

"We are supporting Pakistan. I think everything depends on Pakistan and on what are the concern about security. If they say everything is OK and the tournament can be held as per the schedule then we are with them," Shah told Geo News.

However, Shah was non-committal when asked what would be India's stance if the ICC insisted on relocating the tournament from Pakistan.

"At the moment I can not answer this question. Let this situation come first. There is a meeting (via teleconference) on August 24 in which everything will be decided," he said.

Asked about any possibility of India and Pakistan playing a series if the Champions Trophy is postponed or relocated, Shah denied any such series happening.

"No, it is not possible because we have a full series in Pakistan later this year," he said.

Sources say that it is due to India's insistence on having the mega event in Pakistan which is forcing the ICC and the teams, which are not willing to tour Pakistan, to reconsider their positions.